File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware head football coach K.C. Keeler has announced that five former walk-on players have earned full or partial scholarship money.

Junior defensive tackle Siddiq Haynes (at right) has earned a full scholarship for the remainder of his career, sophomore linebacker Andrew Harrison and sophomore offensive lineman Sam Burrows earned full scholarships for the current spring semester, and sophomore offensive lineman Ben Grant and junior defensive back Josh Ulrich earned partial scholarships for the spring semester.

“It is a special honor for a University of Delaware football player to come here as a walk-on and eventually earn scholarship money,” said Keeler, who will begin his eighth season at the helm this fall. “We are very pleased to be able to reward these players for their hard work and commitment to our program and we look forward to their continued contributions in the future.”

Haynes, a 6-1, 285 lb. junior defensive tackle from Durham, N.C. (Jordan High School), has been a key member of the Blue Hen defensive front the past two seasons and is a two-year letterwinner. He appeared in nine games as a sophomore in 2008, missing the final three with an injury, and recorded seven tackles, including two for losses. He had two tackles vs. top-ranked James Madison. As a freshman in 2007, he appeared in 14 games for the national runner-up Blue Hens and recorded nine tackles. He is a political science major with a minor in journalism at Delaware.

Harrison, a 6-1, 205 lb. sophomore linebacker from Richmond, Va. (Highland Springs HS), was one of the team’s most pleasant surprises in 2008 as he was a consistent and reliable defender for a unit that ranked among the Colonial Athletic Association leaders. As a redshirt freshman, he played in all 12 games, started seven contests, and ranked No. 2 on the team in tackles with 75. He had 33 solo stops, recorded seven tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. He posted a career-high 14 tackles in the season finale vs. Villanova and also had 12 stops each vs. James Madison and William & Mary. He is an honor student as a civil engineering major.

Burrows, a 6-3, 286 lb. sophomore offensive lineman from Wilmington, Del. (Concord HS), did not see action in his first two seasons with the Blue Hens due to injuries that also kept him out of spring drills this year. A former All-State player and state Lineman of the Year, he led Concord High School to two state titles in 2003 and 2004. An agriculture business management major at Delaware, he will battle for a starting spot this fall.

Grant, a 6-3, 288 lb. sophomore offensive lineman from Wrightstown, N.J. (Notre Dame HS), served as a backup defensive tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2008 after sitting out the 2007 season. He was moved to the offensive line this spring and will battle for a key backup role there this fall. He appeared in one game at defensive tackle in 2008. An honor student as an accounting major at Delaware, he was a two-time all-area selection in high school.

Ulrich, a 5-9, 180 lb. defensive back from Wilmington, N.C. (Hanover HS) and a second-year transfer from Navy, will look to return to action this fall after missing all this spring with a knee injury suffered during the 2008 season. He appeared in two games in a special teams role in 2008, seeing action vs. Massachusetts before being injured against William & Mary. An honor student as wildlife conservation major at Delaware, he was a three-sport star in football, track, and wrestling in high school.

Delaware, which closed out spring practice April 24, will begin the 2009 season Sept. 4 when the Blue Hen host long-time rival West Chester at 7 p.m. at Delaware Stadium. Pre-season practice will begin in early August.